If you are overweight, is it good for your physical health to lose weight? Yes!
However, lasting change doesn't come from focusing on weight loss. Excess weight is a symptom, not the problem to be solved. Whether you gain weight, lose weight, shrink or grow, how your body looks is probably one of the least interesting things about you.
Weight loss habits, like restricting food or exercising to earn food, diminish your quality of life and lead to yo-yo dieting. A healthy lifestyle happens when nutrition and exercise makes your life better, not worse.
By focusing on the process of building better habits, rather than the outcome of changing body weight, you allow yourself to take the time you need to make incremental changes. For that reason, clients are not weighed or measured, nor are they asked to restrict food. Instead of focusing on your body, you'll be asked to focus on building a healthier life.
I value you as you are right now. Even before you begin coaching, you bring skills, talents, and successes from other areas of life.
I value science over anecdote, and experimentation over assumption. I don't sell shakes, supplements, or gimmicks.
I value patience, diligence, and a steadfast commitment to a long term vision.
Meet Jen
Jen is a Personal Trainer (NASM CPT) and Nutrition Coach (PN2) living in Mauldin, South Carolina.
In 2008, she began to focus her coaching skills on her own health and fitness and lost over 80 pounds.
Jen believes in collaborating with clients to make realistic and lasting lifestyle changes.
Jen Callens
"If there were an award for 'Least Coordinated Personal Trainer,' I would probably win. My palms sweat at the thought of being asked to catch or throw a ball, and I’ve been told by several people that I “run funny”.
I’m also a nutrition coach who loves chocolate, beer, and ANY All-You-Can-Eat-Sushi situation (Update: ALMOST any All-You-Can-Eat-Sushi situation).
In a world of extraordinary athletes and quick-fix diets, I am certainly nothing to write home about. I don’t have abs, I complete 5K “runs” by walking half the time, I have crazy gym anxiety, and I refuse to argue about what our ancestors actually ate (Let it go, people! Our ancestors didn’t have a Starbucks with a Drive-Thru.)
And, yet, despite being boring and pragmatic, I lost 80 pounds and I have kept it off for a decade. I even threw two pregnancies in there for the extra challenge. I changed the way I ate, found exercise I enjoy, and learned the necessary skills to maintain that lifestyle. And you can, too- whatever that means for you."
Testimonials
Shraddha
Ashleigh
Jen is great! We first met when she was working as a personal trainer at a local gym. In the couple of months that we worked together before she left to branch out, she helped me get over a lot of my gym anxiety and get into the habit of going regularly.
Now that she has started The Steadfast Life, I’m working with her as a nutrition coach, and plan to add personal training again in the future! In the few months since I started meeting with her, I’ve had so many “a-ha moments” and feel like I am on the path to really getting control of my health and well-being.
Jen’s insights have already had an impact on my every day life, and it’s so nice to have a source of accountability that is not judgmental or intimidating. I would highly recommend Jen and The Steadfast Life!
Sarah
I’m gaining an awareness of habits I didn’t really know I had. When I wake up in the morning — even if I didn’t make any adjustments to my normal behavior — I’m thinking about small things I might like to do differently or ways my behavior impacts how I feel. I’ve got that metacognitive, thinking-about-my-thinking thing going on, and I have more optimism that future changes might work out better. Also, reminders to rest, exercise, speak kindly to myself, and thoughtfully approach food and sleep could not have come at a better time during this crazy quarantine!
Emily
Jen is helping me tweak my already consistent routine. I simply gave her a few of my goals along with my current workout and she promptly had a few options for me to try. She makes sure I'm working at a pace that I'm comfortable with and checks in with me on a regular basis. I should also mention that I have arthritis in both of my knees. Prior to contacting Jen, I haven't been able to do much with my lower body because of it. Now I'm slowly and gently working lower body into my daily workout and it's been amazing. Thank you, Jen, for helping me get THE MOST out of my workouts and for teaching me mental exercises I can use during my workout to help me maintain proper form. :) You're the best!